Amber of York: session 16, 11/15/2005
Role call:
- Dan: Laurens of Rocque
- Brad: Thomas Gray
- Brett: Gwynedd
- Alan: Sir Martin Neville
- Patrick: Gabriel of Brittany
- Makul: Donal Rourke
- Mike: Vivienne Avondale
The Duke's Presence
Start Date: Morning, Sunday, May 13th, 1431
City of York
Current events: Joan of Arc is about to have her day of fire.
Sir Martin goes to church. Gabriel goes to church.
* Makul: “Donal doesn’t go to church.” *
* Patrick: “Yes, he does. It looks more like a vault, though.” *
Gabriel goes out riding on his new horse for the day.
After church, Sir Martin goes to pack up his horse. He’s planning on escorting Gywnedd north. Cecily has decided to come as well. The stable hands refuse to ready his horse.
Sir Martin: “Why?”
Stable hand: “Orders of the Duke, Sir.”
Sir Martin sighs deeply. “Orders directly from the Duke or from someone for the Duke?”
Stable hand: “We got orders from the Master of the Horse, Sir.”
Sir Martin: “Is Sir Andrew here?”
The stable hand points to where he is. Sir Martin and Cecily head directly for Sir Andrew. Sir Martin walks up to him.
Sir Martin: “So, I can’t have my horse. This is what your stable hands are saying.”
Sir Andrew: “Did you intend to go out riding for the day?”
Sir Martin: “No. Uh, traveling north.”
Sir Andrew: “I don’t think that is allowed. You are chaperone after all.”
* Alan: “Chaperoning?” *
* Brett: “You don’t get to query the universe to find out what it means ‘cause you don’t know what it means.” *
Sir Martin: “What am I chaperoning? Who am I chaperoning?”
Sir Andrew looks over at Sir Martin’s sister, “Cecily, of course.”
Sir Martin: “Well, yes, but we are still traveling together north.”
Sir Andrew: “Well, I guess I’m confused. Cecily is to stay here.”
Sir Martin: “Ah, Cecily?”
Cecily is equally confused by the situation.
Sir Martin: “Let’s start over from the beginning.”
Sir Andrew: “I’m sorry cousin, which part is confusing?”
Sir Martin: “We’re to travel north today, joining the bard, Gwynedd. We were to have our horses ...”
Sir Andrew: “It is the Earl’s intent that you stay such that Cecily can better get to know the Duke.”
Sir Martin: “Oh it was, was it.”
Sir Andrew: “That is my understanding.”
Sir Martin: “Of course. I had forgotten ... Absolutely ... Sure. Cecily shall we retire to our quarters?”
Cecily is standing with her eyes wide at what has happened.
Sir Martin goes to talk to Gwynedd who has watched the exchange.
Gwynedd: “Yes?”
Sir Martin: “Something has come up. Family matters apparently, which, uh, I learned of a little late. I don’t think that we can join you at this point in time.”
Gwynedd: “Oh. That’s unfortunate. I’m afraid I have a duty to be heading out today.”
Sir Martin: “I understand.”
Gwynedd: “I hope everything works out.”
Sir Martin: “It will. I also need to send another letter to my brother.”
Gwynedd: “If you want me to deliver it, I can certainly swing up that way.”
Sir Martin: “If you’ll give me but a moment, I have one already written for him.”
Sir Martin heads up to his room to get the letter. He rolls it up and seals it. He returns and gives the letter to Gwynedd.
Sir Martin to Gwynedd: “Don’t ... My brother can be a little forward at times. If that’s the case don’t worry, he means well. All in good form.”
Cecily and Sir Martin head for their quarters.
Sir Martin: “Well, it would appear that our good brother wants you to have that conversation with the Duke that you’ve been dying to have a little sooner than you thought.”
Cecily: “Am I to understand that there is some promise regarding me and him?”
Sir Martin: “Not that I know of.”
They continue to walk.
Sir Martin: “It would appear that my being a representative of the Neville family in York is now possibly seen in a different light with recent events and what have you. It may mean that our dear brother wants somebody else while I am under Quillius’ care.”
Cecily: “That’s interesting. I almost want to yell at him.”
Sir Martin: “Yell at him. What’s he going to do? Do you want me to go with you?”
Cecily: “Well, at least I saved you from making a mistake with the Welsh lass.”
Sir Martin: “Oh, what mistake would that be?”
Laurens and Vivienne are practicing. They don’t take any days off. Laurens is trying to get Vivienne to practice on him in order to learn her strengths and weaknesses.
* Alan: “Bitch! Get me food. Bitch! Practice on me!” *
Laurens questions Vivienne on her conjuration abilities. He’s trying to find out how she can be use as a weapon.
Vivienne: “Mundane things are instantaneous.”
Laurens: “Can you summon people like Thomas?”
Vivienne: “No.”
Laurens: “Can you make manifestations that look like people?”
Vivienne: “I don’t think so.”
Laurens: “Can you conjure a very large rock over somebody’s head?”
Vivienne: “I think so. I’‘m pretty sure I could.”
Laurens: “Can you set things on fire?”
Vivienne: “Certainly.”
Laurens: “Can you do it now?”
Vivienne: “It takes some time.”
Laurens: “Can you conjure a fire that then sets things on fire?”
Vivienne: “Yeah.”
Laurens takes her to a window to try out an experiment in the courtyard. Vivienne discovers conjuration has a limited radius.
Gabriel continues his ride through the countryside. Thomas is still touring the countryside.
Donal is down at the docks taking care of business. A runner finds him.
Donal: “Yes?”
Runner: “The Duke has requested your presence.”
* Makul: “Aw shit!” *
A messenger arrives at Quillius’ chambers. He has a message for Vivienne and Laurens requesting their presence with the Duke as soon as possible. The two leave immediately. When they arrive they are allowed in to see the Duke.
Duke: “I have some pointed questions to ask a compatriot of yours. I’d like both of you to be of some assistance in this.”
Laurens pulls out his gloves, the black ones, and puts them on.
Happy Birthday to Makul!
In the Duke’s library, Donal is admitted. The Duke is seated with Laurens on one side and Vivienne on the other.
Donal: “Your Grace, you asked to speak with me?”
Duke: “Come in.”
Donal enters and stands in front of the Duke who is seated at his desk.
Duke: “So, I’ve come to understand that you sent my artist out.”
Donal: “Yes, your Grace. He’s in France.”
Duke: “And, more than visiting, I understand.”
Donal: “I asked him to sketch a few portraits, yes.”
Duke: “A number of your activities of late have reached my ears. I’d like to give you the opportunity to talk about the things you’ve been up to. And, please, you can say anything in front of both of these. I’d like you to be as forth coming as possible.”
Donal begins to recounts all of the adventures he has had since Quillius put Donal into his employ.
Duke: “I’ve heard numerous versions of those events, it’s more the other things that occupy your time.”
Donal: “You wish to hear the details of ...” He pauses. “There have been many actions in the employ of Nicholas that I’d be happy to share with you. I’m also involved in many outside interests which if we have the time I’d be happy to share with you. I’m not trying to hide anything from you, your Grace. I just don’t know to what level of detail you are truly asking for.”
Duke: “My time is something that I consider relatively precious, so if you can keep your answer to the things you genuinely know me to find interesting. I know of your duties to Nicholas and how you perform them. "
Donal: “You also know that your coffers have grown every year. You should know that there is little in the way of shady dealings that I do in your name. Are there deals made outside of the castle? Yes. I also have my own interests, but none of those act in interference to you and if you have heard otherwise I would like to know more. Because I certainly believe that through your fortunes we all will be successful.”
Duke: “I believe there will soon come a time when your current role in this household will cease. And the shape of whatever new role you may or may not have is partially determined by your future decisions to share information in a forthright manner.”
Donal: “Again, your Grace. I am not intentionally trying to dodge the question. I am happy to bring the books down and go through everything with you. Am I looking to ... Am I looking to profit? Absolutely. But, you are also profiting as well from my actions.”
Duke: “Thank you for coming down.”
Donal: “Thank you for your interest, your Grace.”
Duke: “Give some thought to what you expect your future here to be. We’ll talk again.”
Donal: “I’ll look forward to that day.”
Donal excuses himself and leaves.
Laurens: “Would you like us to find out the truth, your Grace?”
Duke: “I have pieces of the truth. I think I’ll give him sometime to think about it. I may call upon either or both of you to get me better answers than I was just given.”
Laurens: “Vivienne is especially suited to this task.”
Duke: “I have come to understand that Vivienne has many talents.”
The Duke thanks them for their time and dismisses them.
Gabriel rides and Gwynedd walks. Thomas rides in a coach.
Sir Martin sends a message to the Duke to invite him to afternoon tea. (There is some discussion about the actual etiquette of this request and the Dukes availability).
The day passes without event. Gabriel returns from his ride. Thomas reaches the next town. Gwynedd continues walking.
Donal sleeps on what the Duke has alluded to. He plans to deal with what the Duke is implying. On Monday morning, Donal puts in a request to see the Duke.
Laurens continues practicing. Sir Martin sees Vivienne teaching him some kind of dark sorcery. He tries not to pay any attention to what she is teaching. Sir Martin feels that Laurens has actually taught him something.
Sir Martin goes out flying after lunch to learn more about it.
Vivienne goes to have a conversation with Donal.
Vivienne: “Are you going to talk to the Duke?”
Donal: “Yes. I have to figure out a way to work with him. Did he say anything?”
Vivienne: “Well ... if you weren’t going to be forthcoming with him, he was going to ask myself or Laurens to step in. I’d feel bad about that.”
Donal: “Thanks for coming and telling me. I wouldn’t want to put you in jeopardy.”
Vivienne nods and is at a loss for words. Donal stops talking also, clearly preoccupied with something else. After a long silence, Donal says, “I would enjoy ... I would enjoy talking to you again under better circumstances.”
Vivienne: “And I as well. I’m sorry I had to bear this news to you. I thought you should know.”
Donal: “Sometimes you get called when you play the game. Have a good night.”
Vivienne: “And you as well.”
Vivienne takes her leave.
The Duke calls for Gabriel. Gabriel comes immediately.
Gabriel: “Yes, your Grace.”
Duke: “I’ve confronted your occasional companion over some of his activities. Donal. I am going to meet with him. I am curious as to his intentions, so I will have you ...”
Gabriel: “Do you want me present or just near?”
Duke: “Near. As near as you think you need to be. You know him better than I. If he intends me ill ...”
Gabriel: “It might be better if I am present then.”
Duke: “Very well.”
Gabriel: “He is very fast. Better he doesn’t try.”
Duke: “We’ll see.”
Donal is admitted to the library once more. As Donal enters he sees that the Duke was talking with Gabriel.
Duke: “Good to see you again. You know my messenger?”
Gabriel bows towards Donal. Donal nods back.
Donal: “Yes, your Grace. I thought about what you had said and ... I apologize if I waste your time further, but ... I wanted you to know that my services and my skills are for you. And, I’m going to continue to work as I have been unless you ask me not to. I’ve been, again, both successful for you as well as myself. And, if my actions of late have stirred controversy, then I apologize ... and I would just ask for clarity of the rules to which you would ask me to work to.”
Duke: “I would hate to see you bound too tightly by rules. You seem to operate best in the near absence of them. But, I would like to understand your intent.”
Donal: “My intent ...”
Duke: “I would hate for your desires to put us at cross purposes.”
Gabriel is watching Donal closely. Gabriel finds Donal unsettlingly inscrutable.
Donal: “I’ve enjoyed considerable success working for you, your Grace. And, ...”
Duke: “I would posit that very little of your successes come from working for me.”
Donal: “No. To be clear there is much information to be gained within these halls. And I have used that information for you as well as for myself. And I have gained much for both of us by working here. I can ... I believe I can be of considerable ... assistance ... and continued success for you for many years to come. My goals are to just to ... continuing to ... be successful as well.”
Duke: “So you say I have nothing to fear from these actions of yours? My concern that we may be at cross purposes in the future is groundless?”
Donal: “Yes, your Grace. I don’t believe that any of the activities that I am currently engaged in ...”
Duke: “It’s not just your current activities that I question, but your intent.”
Donal: “If there is something you suspect me of, please, ...”
Duke: “Ambition. That’s the only thing I suspect you of. And, that, I feel is well understood at this point. It’s where that ambition will take you that concerns me.”
Donal: “I am content to remain in the shadows.”
Duke: “And again, putting rules on you is the farthest from my mind. It is more just an understanding of intent that I wish.”
Donal: “Then I assure you that I bear no ill intent nor do I feel that we will be at cross purposes in anything.”
Duke: “May I bind you to that?”
Donal: “Certainly.”
Duke: “An oath of fealty, perhaps?”
Donal: “I am just a commoner, your Grace.”
Duke: “I think any sentence involving you that begins with the word ‘just’, does you a disservice. You are just a commoner. You are merely a servant. You are but a businessman. Which of these would you like to apply to further humble yourself falsely?”
Donal: “All of them to the greater public, your Grace.”
Duke: “This chamber is but private.”
Donal: “But ... Yes. I will take an oath of fealty.”
Duke: “Excellent. This evening.”
Donal: “Tonight, your Grace?”
Duke: “I, of course, need Quillius for it to be binding. There will be some small amount of blood involved. Nothing damaging.”
Donal: “And, you feel that’s necessary?”
Duke: “Necessary? Perhaps, not. Certainly required though.”
Donal: “May I ask an open question your Grace?”
Duke: “Of course.”
Donal: “Has Gabriel taken this oath?”
Duke: “Gabriel is bound to me in many ways.”
Donal: “Has Laurens taken this oath?”
Duke: “No.”
Donal: “So, are you going to hold me to a stronger bind than the dagger and the axe?”
Gabriel’s mouth quirks.
Duke: “I know what I expect of Laurens. I know that he will serve me in that fashion. I do not bind tools. Given what I know of you, however, you are more ally than tool.”
* Brett to Dan: “Dude, he just called you a tool.” *
Donal: “What limitations does this oath place upon me?”
Duke: “It is merely an oath of fealty as I said.”
Donal: “Something tells me it’s not merely an oath with Quillius involved.”
Duke: “I would say it’s the opposite. It’s most truly an oath with Quillius involved.”
Donal: “An oath with mystical trappings. An oath with sorcery. Very well, your Grace.”
Gabriel talks to the Duke after Donal leaves.
Gabriel: “Donal is more dangerous than I thought at first. I am not certain I could have stopped him. I believe I could have, but I am no longer certain.”
Duke: “Thank you for that. I know given your training, that is a hard thing to admit. You were not my sole defense were things to go differently.”
Later that day Laurens seeks out Donal.
Donal: “Hello, Laurens.”
Laurens: “I always thought you were better than that.”
Donal: “Than what?”
Laurens: “To get caught.”
Donal: “It’s not a bad thing necessarily to get noticed ...”
Laurens: “What I wonder is who ratted you out.”
Donal: “You seem to be close to the Duke.”
Laurens: “Not that close.”
Donal: “You’ve been working with Quillius.”
Laurens nods.
Donal: “Did you have to take an oath with him/”
Laurens: “I don’t think Quillius is the type of man you would cross. Oath or no.”
Donal: “Did you have anything else or did you come by to gloat?”
Laurens: “Mostly to gloat.”
Donal: “I thought so. Enjoy the rest of the day.”
Thomas is riding through the countryside in a carriage. His carriage is stopped by soldiers. Soldiers call Thomas out of the carriage by name.
Soldier: “Thomas Gray. You are wanted for questioning by order of the King.”
The soldiers escort his carriage to a town and bring him to an inn. He is escorted into the inn. There are English knights guarding the door to the inn. Inside, there are two men in the robes of the clergy.
Clergy: “Monsieur Gray we have issues to discuss with you. Have a seat please.”
Thomas sits. The two clergy remain standing.
Clergy: “We discovered your journeys through France and had some issues to discuss regarding some of your recent ventures and some of your companions of late. We wish to get to the core of some complaints made against the Duchy of York and its inhabitants. In particular, other worldly and demonic influences.”
* Dan: “I told you we should have killed him.” *
Thomas: “What can I do to help. What do you want to know?”
Clergy: “Start with yourself. I understand you exhibit some interesting talents.”
Thomas: “Oh. Artist trained in Northern Italy ...” Thomas sums up.
Clergy: “That’s all? Merely an artist from Italy?”
Thomas: “Well, I also work on inventions. Other clockworks and mechanisms. Lately, I have been employed by the Duke of York as the Court Artist.”
Clergy: “And the Duke keeps you busy ... painting?”
Thomas: “He seems to give me a surprising amount of time for my own projects. I was expecting a lot of work with the impending marriage between the Duke and Marguerite. But, when that did not work out, he’s sent me mostly to document parts of the realm.”
Clergy to the other: “I see this is going to take a while. We’re not getting the answers we know to be true.”
* Brett: “Even the Church falls flat in the face of Thomas.” *
Sir Martin returns later in the day after flying. He goes to see Cecily.
Sir Martin: “Have you met with the Duke? Has he returned our message?”
Cecily: “I met with him.”
Sir Martin: “How did it go?”
Cecily: “Poorly, the pig.”
Sir Martin: “What did he say? What did you do?”
Cecily: “I don’t think I wish to have this conversation with you.”
Sir Martin: “Why? What did I do?”
Cecily: “Men! Go!”
Sir Martin: “Fine.”
Sir Martin stops at the doorway and beckons to the hand maiden.
Sir Martin: “What happened?”
Hand maiden: “She came back all a flutter.”
Sir Martin: “Did you not accompany her?”
Hand maiden: “I was stopped at the door, my Lord.”
Sir Martin: “By?”
Hand maiden: “The Duke’s guards, my Lord.”
Sir Martin: “Whom?”
Hand maiden: “I don’t know their names, my Lord.”
Sir Martin: “Thank you.”
Hand maiden: “I agree it was improper, my Lord. The Duke saw her alone.”
Sir Martin: “I’ll say.”
Sir Martin walks off smiling.
Gabriel has ratcheted up his practicing.
Sir Martin goes and knocks on Gabriel’s door.
Gabriel: “Come in.”
Sir Martin: “How ya doin’?”
Gabriel: “I am doing well. How are you?”
Sir Martin: “Fine. Just haven’t seen you of late.”
Gabriel: “I’ve been happy whenever I’ve been walking through the courtyard.”
Gabriel pats Sir Martin on the shoulder.
Sir Martin: “Strangely enough, I have too ... in a way that I wasn’t expecting.”
Gabriel: “Good. Hopefully, it will go both ways.”
Sir Martin: “I got your message.”
Gabriel: “Oh. Thank you very much.”
Sir Martin: “How is he?”
Gabriel: “A very nice horse. I named him Night Wind.”
Sir Martin: “If you would like to go riding sometime.”
Gabriel: “At your leisure.”
Sir Martin: “I look forward to that. Have a good evening.”
Gabriel: “You, too.”
Sir Martin is smiling.
Sir Martin sends a message to the Duke with a request to dine this evening or the following evening. The Duke responds that the following evening will be fine.
Donal is summoned at 10 pm to go to a parapet. Quillius has brought Vivienne with him. The Duke is there.
Donal: “Quillius. Vivienne. What no chickens?”
Duke: “You seem concerned by this.”
Donal: “It seems extreme to secure my assurances, but if this is what you need in order to trust me ... let’s get on with it.”
Duke: “All right.”
The Duke pulls out a knife from his belt. He pricks his thumb and puts a drop of blood into a goblet there. Then, hands the knife to Donal. Donal sighs dramatically. He pricks his thumb and drops a drop in the goblet as well. Quillius mumbles something in latin. Then, the Duke takes a sip and hands the goblet to Donal.
Donal: “Cheers.”
Donal drinks from the goblet as well.
Duke; “That’s all.”
Donal: “No actual oath.”
Duke: “This was the oath. Did you want there to be more? Say what words strike you if you wish.”
Donal: “... No ... Am I excused, your Grace?”
Duke: “Of course.”
Donal is chafing at not knowing what his new boundaries are as he heads back down to his office. He finishes any accounts that needed going over and then goes to bed.
As Quillius and Vivienne are heading back down to their chambers,
Quillius: “So what did you think of the ceremony?”
Vivienne: “Interesting.”
Vivienne knows that there was no binding. The latin chanting was an old hermetic prayer. Vivienne looks confused.
Vivienne: “There was no binding?”
Quillius: “There’s no truer way to test a mans loyalty than to see how far a man will push if he thinks he has limits. So I understand that you are pursuing some sort of relationship with this young man.”
Vivienne: “I had a dinner with him, but that’s all. I wouldn’t say it was a relationship.”
Quillius: “Very well.”
Vivienne: “Are you advising against it?”
Quillius: “No, not at all. I find him ambitious, talented. He’ll be a very worthwhile asset.”
The questioners continue trying to draw information out of Thomas. In spite of pointed question about Vivienne, the Duke’s advisor and the others. They ask what he has seen and whether there were other worldly abilities or infernal powers.
* Thomas frustrates God. *
Thomas says a lot, but never says anything of consequence. The two clergy are becoming frustrated.
Clergy: “The King just wishes to understand the sort of creatures the Duke has surrounded himself with.”
Thomas: “Laurens is very amoral. But, at worst, is followed by misunderstanding, and opens himself up to rumor by his unthinking actions. He doesn’t seem to have anything supernatural about him. He is just unlucky and coarse and ...”
Clergy: “And the others?”
Thomas: “She doesn’t go to Church either. Most of her problem seems to be that she is infatuated with Laurens. She seems to have fallen under his sway.”
Clergy: “But, she is only a young maiden.”
Thomas: “She doesn’t seem to ... Quillius seems to be her guardian ... teacher doesn’t seem to watch out for her virtue as he should. Allowing her to run ...”
Clergy: “Let us be clear, Monsieur Gray. We did not find you upon the French countryside to talk about the chastity of a young maiden. You will answer these questions, or you will begin to lose the implements you carry upon your body to exact your art. Are we clear?”
Thomas: “Father, she seems to be very strong minded. It’s a trait you see in great generals where they can make men follow them.”
Clergy: “This young maiden sways men around her?”
Thomas: “She’s very comely. It is a shame she was not born a man. She would have made a great general.”
Clergy: “You enjoy comely men?”
Thomas: “Women tend to influence using their looks as weapons. Vivienne seems to do it using the strength of her personality.”
The other robed man starts laying out sharp knives in front of Thomas.
Thomas manages to not give away any information during the 3 hours of questioning he endures. He uses his weird twisted world view of his companions as a shield against the questions. The clergy take Thomas up to a room and make it very clear to him that his questioning in the morning will be more severe.
Thomas: “This is annoying. I have better things to do. I wonder what the Duke wants me to say to these guys.”
Thomas goes back to York by way of a painting. When he arrives he sends a message to the Duke explaining that the carriage was stopped by soldiers under the King’s banner. That he was then questioned by clergy of the Church about the Duke and the rest of Thomas’ recent companions. He wants to know what the Duke wants him to do. The Duke summons him to get answers. The Duke spends the rest of the night trying to get coherent answers. The Duke is fine with Thomas disappearing as he did. He also suggests that he keep the information to himself. Thomas hands over the paintings he made of the countryside to the Duke. He adds he can make more anti-scrying necklaces like Donal requested if the Duke needs them.
Tuesday Morning.
Gwynedd looks in at Mount Grace to do what she can for the rest of the day. She feels in general that the mood of the area has improved. Then, heads on up to Castle Raby.
Dinner with the Duke and Sir Martin. Cecily is not remotely interested in joining them.
Sir Martin: “How have you been?”
Duke: “As well as can be expected I suppose. And, how’s the training?”
Sir Martin: “Quillius is, ah, an interesting man. A good task master. He reminds me of the Master at Arms back at Raby. But, of a different sort. The training is going well. Laurens is a good sparring partner. I understand that last night when I had gone off as part of my training, my sister came to see you.”
Duke: “Yes.”
Sir Martin: “Did you have dinner together? She was very tight lipped about why she went to see you.”
Duke: “No, merely a discussion.”
Sir Martin: “Oh.”
Duke: “She sought to have you released from your demonic servitude, and the butcher Laurens slain and his head put on a pike.”
Sir Martin: “She is ... uh ... enthusiastic to that regard. She always has been.”
Duke: “Good. I’m sure it will serve her well.”
Sir Martin: “I’m sure. She ... during our years growing up together has always set her mind to something and been very strong about seeing it through. Much to the consternation of my dear older brother at times.”
Duke: “I was very impressed by our conversation.”
Sir Martin: “I was curious, though. It seems as though her hand maiden was not invited to attend.”
Duke: “Really? I wasn’t aware her hand maiden had accompanied her.”
Sir Martin: “She was apparently turned away at the door.”
Duke: “My guards can be a tad overzealous. I’ll speak to them.”
Sir Martin: “It seems that way. It would be untoward if she would ... to have further conversations with you alone.”
* Dan/Laurens: “Give the order, your Grace.” *
Duke: “I agree ... that propriety is very important. I will make sure that they do not make that mistake again.”
Sir Martin: “A woman of her station, especially. Noble.”
Duke: “Of course.”
Sir Martin: “You keep Laurens in your employ? You trust him?”
Duke: “I suppose both of those things are true to a point. Yes.”
Sir Martin: “You have reason not to fully trust him?”
Duke: “I understand his place, and I understand his intentions, so as far as those are well understood, I trust him, yes.”
Sir Martin: “What is your feeling on his putting a knife to Cecily’s throat? Intentions in their right place?”
Duke: “My understanding is that he believed he had a bargaining chip in her, that it was something shocking enough to shake you free of the demon’s influence.”
Sir Martin: “Do you feel he was entirely forthcoming when he said that?”
Duke: “I believe Laurens tends to report his genuine feeling on matters, yes.”
Sir Martin: “Thank you.”
Duke: “Of course.”
Sir Martin: “I have not been given any particular tasks other than to continue my training by Quillius. Although I do enjoy the respite from the past few weeks events, do you have need of me to do anything?”
Duke: “Ah, let me think upon it.”
Sir Martin: “I’m at your service. And, thank you for dinner.”
Duke: “It was enjoyable.”
Sir Martin: “For myself as well.”
Stick Figure Theater
